EPA Finds Hyundai, Kia Overstated Gas Mileage
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Environmental Protection Agency says Hyundai and Kia have been overstating the gas mileage on most of their models from the past three years. The details were uncovered during an EPA audit, showing they were off by as much as six miles per gallon.
Automotive insight analyst John McElroy says this is not good for business.
"The face that Hyundai has been overstating its fuel economy, and Kia, this is hugely embarrassing to the company," said McElroy, told WWJ Newsradio 950. "I mean, this is a real slap at the engineering prowess of Hyundai/Kia, and it is going to hurt them from a sales standpoint -- maybe not greatly, but there will be an impact."
The automakers will be asked to retrofit window stickers on the cars. Hyundai and Kia executives say the problem was unintentional--and have promised to pay the owners of 900,000 cars and SUVs for the difference in mileage.
The Environmental Protection Agency says it continues to look into the errors. The agency would not comment when asked if the companies will be fined or if a criminal investigation is under way.
For information, owners can go to www.hyundaimpginfo.com or www.kiampginfo.com.
